Hi Friends, family, former work colleagues and anyone else copied who has clicked this link and are generous enough to be considering making a donation to this fantastic charity. 

A year or so ago Steve, a slightly eccentric Welsh friend I shared a college room with reappeared in my life after some 38 years. Unlike myself who stepped onto the usual corporate ladder, Steve dedicated his career to helping the disabled, and in particular the visually impaired. With retirement age approaching he decided to reach out to a few of us who had played some part in his history for this hoorah trek.

Long story short, having arrived on my doorstep, we soon slipped into our teenage personas and before my brain had engaged to consider my current condition I had agreed to this preposterous adventure.  Steve similarly ambushed a former work colleague in the Care sector (an experienced trekker) who also agreed to join us.

Steve had married the delightful Caroline who has Tunnel Vision, so I presume he must have charmed her before appearing in her angle of vision (couldn’t resist that one). They have two daughters including young Bethan who like her mother has a progressive visual impairment condition. Bethan is also joining us on this trek, as is  one of her young friends.  So four fine physical specimens plus me!

This horribly unfit pensioner is therefore flying to Kathmandu on 16 Feb to undertake a 200km trek up to Everest Basecamp and beyond. We will be hiking 5-8 hours each day for 15 days in sub-zero temperatures to a height of 18,000+ feet (5,545m). My daughter pointed out that the maximum parachute jump height allowed without oxygen is 15,000 feet. Altitude sickness is apparently the main risk, and is quite random who it may effect.

Anyway, to give purpose to this personal insanity, I am seeking to raise a modest sum for the registered charity  “SightSavers”. Any donation no matter it’s size will be much appreciated  Details of their mission can be read here: 

https://www.sightsavers.org/about-us/

This is a very practical charity that performs eye operations and other procedures in the field, giving the gift of sight to the most impoverished on our planet. Recipients then have the chance of a more independent and productive life.  Some of my career was in international development so together with my travelling companions backstories it made Sightsavers a logical choice.

I selected this “JustGiving” platform to handle any donations as it allows contributions in multiple currencies including USD straight to the Charity.. 

Sightsavers are aware of this little fundraising event and would also be more than happy to receive Company donations direct.

I should add that we are of course funding our own personal travel and related expenses.

So the group made it.   That I got sick at 5000m and had to be helicoptered off the mountain within a few hours of EBC just demonstrated how demanding this task is.

Thank you for those who donated to this fine charity. There is still time if you have not and I would be eternally grateful if you did so.

Best.

Geoff

(Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity)

EBC Trek 

Day 01 Arrival in Kathmandu (1300m)

Day 02: Half Day in Kathmandu trek preparation

Day 03 Drive from Kathmandu to Salleri (2390m) – 8-9 hours

Day 04 Salleri to Nunthala (2220m) – 6-7 hours

Day 05 Nunthala to Bupsa (2360m) – 5-6 hours

Day 06 Bupsa to Chaurikharka (2650m) - 6-7 hours

Day 07 Chaurikharka to Monjo (2840m) – 4-5 hours

Day 08 Monjo to Namche Bazaar (3438m) – 3-4 hours

Day 09 Acclimatization at Namche Bazaar. Involves short treks to higher altitudes then rapid descents: (3440m)

Day 10 Namche Bazaar to Tengboche (3870m) – 5-6 hours

Day 11 Tengboche to Dingboche (4360m) – 5-6 hours

Day 12 Acclimatization in Dingboche. Not a “rest” day, as again will involve trekking higher then quickly descending.

Day 13 Dingboche to Lobuche (4940m) – 5-6 hours

Day 14 Lobuche to Gorak Shep (5170m), visit Everest Base Camp (5364m) – 6-7 hours

Day 15 Gorak Shep to Kala Patthar (5545m) to Pheriche (4288m) – 7-8 hours

Day 16 Pheriche to Namche Bazaar (3440m) – 6-7 hours

Day 17 Namche Bazaar to Lukla (2860m) – 6-7 hours

Day 18 Fly to Kathmandu

Day 19 Departure.